Record prize purse announced for Free State at the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGUANG 10K

Celebrating its Mangaung debut on Sunday, 25 October 2026, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K will put a record R337 200 prize purse on the line, adding an extra layer of excitement to the city’s newest premier road running event. The impressive prize purse is complemented by a series of innovative incentives designed to inspire South African athletes to raise the bar, deliver standout performances and seize the opportunity to create memorable moments on race day.

Since its launch in 2015, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has reshaped South Africa’s road running landscape, bringing mass participation events to iconic cities across the country. In 2026, the Series expands to six cities, with events in Gqeberha, Cape Town, Durban, Tshwane, Johannesburg and, for the first time, Mangaung, where the season will culminate in October.

“Offering a substantial prize purse remains a key priority for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports. “It is about more than rewarding the commitment and loyalty of athletes who continue to support the Series; it is also about creating meaningful incentives that fuel ambition, encourage athletes to raise their performance levels and inspire them to push the boundaries of what is possible.”

The Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K will boast a total prize allocation of R337 200.00, with R267 200.00 dedicated to the Open Category. This includes R133 600.00 for the Top 10 Open Men and R133 600.00 for the Top 10 Open Women. The top male and female winners will take home R33 000.00, while second place will earn R24 000.00 and third place R21 000.00. In addition, R70 000.00 has been allocated to Age Categories, rewarding the top three finishers in the Junior, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69 and 70+ age groups.

Exciting 2026 SA Athlete Incentives:
Alongside the impressive combined prize purse, Stillwater Sports once again raises the bar with its acclaimed SA Athlete Prize Incentive Schedule that rewards exceptional performances and encourages athletes to chase new limits.

In the Elite Men’s race, bonuses kick in for times faster than 28 minutes, with a remarkable R300 000.00 incentive up for grabs for breaking the 27-minute barrier, while a new SA Record (the fastest runner) will secure an additional R50 000. The Elite Women’s race is equally rewarding, with bonuses starting for times faster than 32:08, and an outstanding R300 000.00 bonus for athletes who dip under 30:20. A new SA Record (the fastest runner) will secure an additional R50 000.

To view the 2026 Prize Purse Breakdown and SA Athlete Incentive Schedule, visit https://runyourcityseries.com/

In closing, Meyer adds: “As we make our debut in Mangaung, we are excited to provide athletes with another high-profile platform on which to compete, perform and showcase their talent. The depth of the prize purse, together with the additional incentives on offer, reflects our commitment to creating opportunities for South African athletes to compete at the highest level while contributing to the continued growth and development of road running in the country.”

EVENT DATES: 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K

Date: Sunday, 25 October 2026
Start Time: 07:00
Start Line: Sir George Grey Street exit of Grey College
Finish Line: Kings Way (Bloemfontein)
Entry Fee: Entry Fee: R 255 (Licensed Runner)
Temp License Fee: R70
Entry Fee Includes:
• Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Event Performance T-shirt
• Absa Drawstring Bag
• Absa Peak Cap
• Absa Socks
• Race Number & Timing Chip
• Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Finisher’s Medal
• Major Sponsor Activations
• Route Entertainment Points
• 3 x Refreshment stations on route
• Tog Bag Drop and Collect Service
• Post Event Entertainment

Entries Open: Saturday 01 August
Entries Close: Thursday 08 October 2026 or once capacity has been reached

Facebook: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k / @Mangaung 10K
Instagram: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k / @Mangaung10k
Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity

WhatsApp Line: 072 042 7613
Websites: www.runyourcityseries.com

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.

Author: Jacky McClean from NEWSPORT MEDIA on behalf of Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series.